50 to try: Christmas feasts

Sails turkey dinner: Enjoy a turkey feast with all the trimmings. If you’re too lazy to go there in person, order turkey dinner to go.Dhs169 (includes one house beverage; groups of two or more get a bottle of grape-based beverage). Renaissance Dubai Hotel, Deira (04 262 5555).

Bridges Boxing Day bangers and mash: A cheap and cheerful way to wind down from the previous day’s festivities – feast on bangers, mash and a pint.
Dhs95. 8pm-2am. Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 311 8316).

The Market Café Christmas Eve brunch: This international venue will dish up a smattering of festive treats and sumptuous desserts. Santa will be on hand to distract children with toys and treats.
Dhs190 (including soft drinks),Dhs95 for kids aged six to 12. 2.30pm-4pm. Grand Hyatt Dubai, Oud Metha (04 317 2222).

The Cellar Christmas lunch: Try a four-course menu on Christmas day. There’s also a kids’ buffet, and Father Christmas is touted to make an appearance.
Dhs250, Dhs125 for children under 12. Aviation Club, Garhoud (04 282 9333).

Glasshouse: If Verre by Gordon Ramsey is a little too pricey for you, then try out its cheaper sister restaurant, which serves up consistently tasty bistro dishes. The traditional menu has been selected by Ramsey’s protégé Scott Price, and the venue makes an effort with crackers and a tree.
Brunch, Dhs395 including house beverages (04 212 7551)

Bice: This fantastic Italian spot is offering a special four-course Christmas day lunch. If there’s one country that does long, lazy lunches well, it’s Italy: so languish the day away with seafood, risotto and pannetonne. Yum.
Lunch Dhs450 per person. Hilton Dubai Jumeirah (04 399 1111)

Brauhaus: The Germans really commit to Christmas – carols, Santa, giant pretzels, even bigger brews, markets, outlandish decorations – they have it all. So we’re imagining this German spot’s Christmas dinner will be nothing short of epic.
Dinner from 8pm, starting from Dhs229 with selected beverages. Jumeira Rotana, Satwa (04 345 5888)

Certo: You can expect Santa, carols and rosy bubbles at this Italian brunch in Dubai Media City. The decor’s more business lunch than festive brunch, but the reliable Italian food will make up for that.
Noon-4pm, Dhs179 with soft beverages and Dhs249 with house beverages. Radisson Blu, Dubai Media City (04 366 9111).

Focaccia: There will be gingerbread houses and the like at this family friendly option which serves reliable Italian food in a setting with an authentic feel. Enjoy a three-course dinner for Dhs180 per adult and Dhs90 for the kids. They’re also offering a festive buffet lunch for Dhs199.
Hyatt Regency Deira (04 209 1234)

Maya By Richard Sandoval: Eat authentic and yet inventive Mexican fare for lunch, and then afterwards enjoy access to Le Royal Méridien’s pool and beach, where bands and DJs will be providing ambience.
Lunch, Dhs300 with pool and beach access. Le Royal Méridien, Dubai Marina (04 316 5550)

Vista: This hidden gem has a wonderful balcony and surprisingly good food. Head in for a Christmas day slow roast poussin or roast beef with horseradish mash, or, if you’ve got 20 or more people they’ll put together a medieval-style feast for your table for just Dhs130 per person.
Lunch or dinner, roast poussin Dhs95, roast beef Dhs130. Holiday Inn Express, Dubai Internet City (04 427 5500)

Warehouse: The ‘drunch’ is perfect for those of us who want to party on as usual this Christmas. Enjoy unlimited tapas-style food, a variety of 30 Cuban cocktails and a selection of grapes and hops. Expect to be up and dancing by 3pm.
Brunch 1pm-4pm, Dhs299. Le Méridien Dubai, Garhoud (04 702 2347)

Bubbalicious: This epic brunch, which spans three restaurants in the Westin, is a fantastic option for families with kids. Why? Well because there’s a petting zoo, a kids’ corner, Chinese acrobats and, of course, Santa Claus, giving the adults plenty of time to enjoy the bubbles. Brunch 1pm-4pm. Dhs300 for kids, Dhs390 for soft drinks and Dhs590 for premium bubbles and all house drinks.
The Westin Dubai, Al Sufouh Road (04 399 4141)

Rostang Brasserie: This French Brasserie will be turned into a Christmas Shoppe (emphasis on the ‘e’), selling homemade cookies, mince pies, panettone and more. On Christmas day (and eve) they’re offering lunch and dinner set menus. This’ll be a good one for the whole family: a real Parisian Christmas on the, erm, Palm Jumeirah.
Lunch and dinner set menus Dhs295. Atlantis, The Palm (04 426 2626)

Arboretum: This Al Qasr spot is a constant contender for our Best Brunch award, so why not try it for your festive brunch? The extensive buffet has something for everyone, and the free-flowing house beverages encourage festive cheer. We’ll be booking a seat on the al-fresco terrace, which offers views of the Burj Al Arab.
Brunch from 12.30pm-4pm, Dhs565 with house beverages. Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah (04 366 6730)

Ossiano: This fantastic Catalan-inspired restaurant, helmed by three-star Michelin-star Chef Santi Santamaria, is offering a festive special set menu. The underwater views of the Ambassador Lagoon and the inventive food will linger in your mind, but, unfortunately, so will the bill.
Lunch and dinner, Dhs1,500 with a glass of bubbles. Atlantis, The Palm (04 426 2626)

Rhodes Mezzanine: Our Restaurant of the Year is serving festive lunch rather than dinner this year, and it’s sure to be grand. Gary Rhodes’ special four-course lunch menu includes a glass of bubbles at sunset and a Christmas gift, but it ain’t cheap.
Lunch, Dhs1,250. Grosvenor House, Dubai Marina (04 317 6000)

Rivington Grill: This fantastic gastro pub is serving a traditional set meal between noon and 5pm. Think celery and stilton soup, roasted turkey with chestnut stuffing and Christmas pudding (Rivington are known for their puddings) and you’re on the right track. This is our top choice if you want a relaxed yet still very classy lazy lunch.
Four-course menu from noon-5pm, Dhs350. Souk al Bahar (04 423 0903)

Traiteur: With live entertainment and traditional (as well as not-so traditional) food, this brunch is always a winner – in fact it won best brunch in this year’s Eating Out awards. The crowd ranges from classy to rowdy, and there will, wait for it, be a special dessert buffet that will fill the entire private dining room. We’re there.
Dhs795 per person including free-flowing bubbles. Park Hyatt, Deira (04 602 1804)

Radisson Blu Deira Christmas buffet:
A huge Christmas buffet located on the
second floor of the hotel, where eight
different outlets offer all manner of cuisine:
English dishes at The Pub, Italian from La
Moda, Iranian from Shabestan, Japanese/
Korean from Sumibiya, fresh seafood from
Fish Market, Japanese from Minato, carving
stations and fine meat from Palm Grill and
a dessert buffet from Boulevard Gourmet.
A special children’s buffet is available.
Brunch also takes place on Christmas Day
for Dhs195. Dhs175 (food only). 7.30pm-
11.30pm. Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira
Creek (04 205 7333).

Azur’s Christmas Day roast: The magic
continues at Raffles Dubai as the curtain
goes up on the Christmas Day celebrations.
The restaurant is offering a menu of
traditional festive favourites. Dhs275
(soft drinks), Dhs425 (selected house
beverages), 50 per cent discount for children
aged six to 12. 12.30pm-3.30pm. Raffles
Dubai, Oud Metha (04 324 8888).

Rive Gauche Christmas Eve: Begin the
evening with a glass of bubbly and tasty
canapés in The Yellow Lounge, followed
by an alluring spread of popular French
classics at Rive Gauche. The restaurant will
be offering a festive four-course set menu.
Dhs450. 7pm-11.30pm. The Address Dubai
Marina (04 436 7777).

Scarlett’s Christmas meals: On
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, enjoy a
special festive menu and a large carving
station with traditional roasts, turkey
and all the trimmings. Dhs425. Jumeirah
Emirates Towers (04 319 8088).